The Power Paradox

Buchzusammenfassung

Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on emotions, social hierarchies, and power. He has written several books, including Born to be Good and The Power Paradox.

Power is not limited to leaders or celebrities; it is a force evident in everyday life, from motivating others to influencing societal change. Thomas Clarkson’s fight against slavery exemplifies how power, when used responsibly, can transform the world. On a personal level, power dynamics shape relationships, such as those between siblings, and influence personality traits as people grow. Research shows that power often stems from kindness, enthusiasm, and the ability to uplift others, as seen in studies on social influence, Inuit communities, and team dynamics. Maintaining power requires ongoing generosity, gratitude, and connection, with storytelling and supportive gestures proving particularly effective. However, power’s darker side reveals its potential to erode empathy, ethics, and fairness, as studies on infidelity, wealth justification, and systemic inequality demonstrate. The stress of powerlessness, especially for marginalized groups, has profound physical and social consequences, underscoring the need to address these disparities. The next chapter will explore how to confront and mitigate power’s harmful effects.

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